Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 26
Amaka came around for Christmas. I had
written all my examinations and I was
somehow free for the time. She was
depressed after I told her of what I had
been through since the month of May when
she left and what prompted my being an
Okada Rider. Tears rolled down her cheeks
as I spoke, especially the fact that I now
survive as an Okada Rider. I kissed away her
tears, I told her to allow me to ride the
Okada now that I could, I told her to take
solace in the fact that I am also in school,
and I told her that an Okada man is better
than a Prisoner. She understood. She always
does. We made love slowly and purposefully
that night, the tears came running down her
cheeks as she mourned and clung to me as
if I was drifting away.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Together, Amaka and I went to the
headquarters of the 82nd Division of the
Nigerian Army to see the general Officer
Commanding, our mission was to book an
appointment with him. We got there and
filled the forms handed to us by the
Secretary, a Staff Sergeant with very
conspicuous tribal marks that gave him
away as an indigene of Oyo or Ogbomosho.
He read through the form that we filled and
he asked me the purpose of our visit. I said
it was official
Of course I can see that is what you wrote
here! But how official do you mean? He
snapped.
Okay! Sorry sir, I came in respect of being
recalled into the Army. My C.O has sent my
letter to him.
Since your C.O has sent your letter to him
then what are you here for? He asked
Oga sir! I said: it is a long story please; I just
need to see the G.O.C.
You can’t see him now until after the
elections! You know we are handing over to
Civilian by April or May so everything
concerning recruitment and recalling of
Soldiers have been put on hold until after
the military hands over! He said with a touch
of finality.
Amaka then stepped forward and asked; are
you saying the G.O.C cannot see a Soldier in
distress because of elections? How is that?
Please who are you madam? Are you a
Soldier or the Wife?
I am his Lawyer! Amaka replied
Oh! You see yourself now young man! The
Civilians have not taken over yet and you are
bringing a Civilian Lawyer to see the G.O.C!
Can’t you get a Military Lawyer? Or are you
not aware that we have our own Lawyers?
He asked
Oga! Amaka interrupted, we are not here for
any case! Everything has been settled in
court already, I am just here to attest to the
fact that this man here is free, that’s all!
Who told you he is free? Ehn? Who told you?
The stripped face asked
Please what is going on in this Army
Division? Amaka asked aloud. First! It was
the R.S.M stopping him from seeing his
Commanding Officer! And now you too do
not want him to see his G.O.C! What are you
Guys afraid of? Ehn? What are you Guys
hiding that you do not want the Authorities
to know?
Look here woman or young girl or whatever
you say you are! Stripped face stood up
from his sitting position and fumbled with
his belt; who are you calling Guys? Are you
mad? Ehn? Look I have daughters of your
age at home no, so don’t come here and
insult your father!
I am not insulting you! I am only stating an
obvious fact! If you have nothing to hide,
then let him see his G.O.C! Amaka insisted.
Just like that? If you have nothing to hide
then let him see his G.O.C! He mimicked
Amaka. Do you know the meaning of G.O.C?
It means general Officer Commanding! This
man is bigger than any Governor! He
commands more than ten states in the east,
south- south and middle belt region! And
you just want to walk in and see him like
that? He brought out a note book and
started flipping through the pages; you see
all these names? These are people that are
on queue to see the G.O.C, some of them will
not see him till another G.O.C takes over!
Come back after the presidential elections I
say!
Okay! No wahala! Ojo please let us leave this
place! Amaka said as she left the office while
I tagged along.
As we stepped out of the building and
walking towards the Car park, we saw my
R.S.M discussing and gesticulating frantically
with a Captain on Uniform, he was facing
our position while the Captain backed us
but he stopped talking the moment he saw
us, the Captain turned back too to stare as
us as R.S.M told him something pointing his
stick at me.
What are you doing here? He barked as he
approached us with his swagger stick
stretched forward, Amaka walked away to
the Car while I stopped. I decided to answer
him because of the presence of the Captain.
By the badge and Beret of the Captain he is
from the Finance Corps.
I am coming from the G.O.C’s office I told
him.
To do what? He shouted; he looked visibly
scared; are you mad? Look at this criminal o!
Look! The fly that refuses to heed warning
follows the Corpse into the grave o! I have
warned you to stay of the Army premises
but you are being obstinate abi? Okay we
shall see! We shall see! Have you heard of
accidental discharge before? Have you heard
of stray bullet before? Don’t worry, soon you
will not only hear of it but experience it and
you will not live to tell the experience!
The captain also seemed uncomfortable as
he looked from right to left to be sure other
s Soldiers are not watching the scene.
R.S.M, take it easy! The Captain said, there
are better ways of handling this issue.
Which issue Oga? The R.S.M asked; issue
with this small rat? This silly Scallywag? I
cannot have issues with him! He is a
dismissed Soldier!
R.S.M, please come along! The Captain said
as he hurriedly left the scene, the R.S.M
followed him murmuring. Amaka was
already in the Car waiting for me.
We drove to the Mammy Market so I could
get my hair cut; I got to know from Ayo that
I could also see the G.O.C at the Golf course
the same days the C.O goes there.
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